Lemon Garlic Pasta (6 basic ingredients, 15-minute meal!)
This lemon garlic pasta is the perfect busy weeknight dish! It’s great as a main or side dish along with some chicken or fish. Simply use gluten-free pasta to make it gluten-free.
Finding time to really do anything lately has been difficult. I’m all about easy dinner recipes right now.
This lemon garlic pasta is pretty much the level of cooking I’m capable of right now. It’s super easy and doesn’t sound all that delicious but it really is!
First you make some garlic olive oil and then toss spaghetti (whole wheat, gluten-free, whatever you like) with Parmesan (or Pecorino Romano), basil and lemon.
It’s incredibly quick and tastes better than I think it should for the required effort.
To be on the healthier side, it’s probably better to eat it alongside some protein or a big salad, or at least some veggies like this easy boiled broccoli. I may or may not be a bit of a piggie, eat a big bowl of it with nothing else for lunch and then fall into a carb coma.
I’m going to make it again tomorrow with this pecan crusted salmon. That’s another dish that only takes about 5 minutes to prepare but tastes like it took a lot longer.
I’ve been making this lemon garlic spaghetti for about 10 years and used to use Parmesan but since trying Pecorino Romano, I haven’t gone back to Parmesan.
If you’ve never tried it, that needs to change! I also use it in my roasted smashed potatoes, spaghetti squash alfredo and classic homemade lasagna. This caprese bruschetta would also be great!
This lemon garlic pasta is one of my favorite quick and easy pasta dishes in the summer. When you don’t feel like heating up the kitchen or eating heavy tomato or cream sauce, this is for you. Serve it with this Jennifer Aniston salad for a full, delicious meal.
If you’re in the mood for something more hearty, try this cavatappi pasta is a great option. My healthy alfredo sauce is also nice and filling!
Or if it’s January and you just finished eating the 132nd cookie in the last two weeks… this is perfect.
For the pasta, you can of course use whatever kind you want. Gluten-free, whole wheat or regular. There are also lots of grain-free pastas now available. This homemade grain-free pasta looks great, too!
If you try out this lemon garlic pasta, I’d love to hear what you think! And for another great spring pasta recipe, try this ham pasta!
Lemon Garlic Pasta (6 basic ingredients, 15-minute meal!)
Ingredients
- 6 ounces (170 grams) spaghetti whole wheat, gluten-free, or regular
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 4 garlic cloves minced
- 1/2 cup (35 grams) grated Parmesan or Pecorino Romano
- 15 (1 tbsp or 5 grams) small basil leaves packed, chiffonaded (cut into thin strips)
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice for me, this was 1/2 a small lemon
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
Instructions
- Boil the spaghetti according to the directions on the package.6 ounces (170 grams) spaghetti
- Meanwhile, in a small saucepan over medium heat, heat the olive oil and garlic. Mix around occasionally until the garlic starts to brown. Take off the heat and set aside.1 tablespoon olive oil, 4 garlic cloves
- When the pasta is done, drain it in a colander and let it sit there while doing the next step.
- In the pot that you had the spaghetti in, add the Parmesan, basil, lemon juice and the garlic olive oil. Stir in the spaghetti and salt to taste. Stir thoroughly and be sure to get all the cheese that likes to stick to the bottom of the pot. Serve immediately.1/2 cup (35 grams) grated Parmesan or Pecorino Romano, 15 (1 tbsp or 5 grams) small basil leaves, 1 tablespoon lemon juice, 1/4 teaspoon salt
Notes
- The nutrition information provided is calculated as a courtesy and is only an estimate. I am not a licensed nutritionist or dietitian. For the most accurate nutritional data, consult a professional or use your preferred calculator.
Hi Erin, I don’t like Basil, so are there other herbs that would compliment this pasta dish? Thank you.
Hi Erin,
Did you leave the garlic cloves whole when making the garlic oil? Also, step 3 says to add garlic oil, so I”m assuming you discard the garlic cloves? The recipe doesn’t specify…
Thanks! :)
Hi Kari! Aaah, sorry. That should say minced. I’ve added that! Thanks so much for letting me know and very sorry for missing that important info!
Thank You! :)
This was a FABULOUS dish! I left out the parm cheese as I follow a plant based diet, loaded up on the basil, and roasted cherry tomatoes and added those!
Hi, Katelyn! I’m so happy to hear that you liked the spaghetti. Yay! :) More basil and cherry tomatoes sounds like a great change. Thanks so much for the feedback! :)
Hi..This so Easy and Yummy. I added alittle more Lemon and Basil because I love it.I also sauteed up some Chicken Breast.I will definitely make it Again. Maybe with Shrimp????
That sounds delicious! I’m so glad that you enjoyed it. Thanks a ton for your feedback! :)
This looks fantastic and like the perfect weeknight meal! Thanks for sharing!
Agreed! So quick and easy but still tasty and somewhat nutritious. :)
Absolutely loving this pasta Erin!
Thanks, Pamela! Hope you get a chance to try it. :)
This pasta was delicious and so simple to make! I will definitely be making this again- my whole family loved it! I shared this recipe in a recent meal plan on my blog, rainbowdelicious.com. Thanks!
Hi Emily! Thanks a ton for the feedback. I'm happy that you enjoyed it enough to share on your post. I'll go check it out! Thanks again. :)
This looks great, super easy yet super tasty. I'm a busy mother so I love coming across simple recipes that all the family will enjoy!
Thanks, Jill! The time it takes to prepare this is a huge plus. It's super tasty and I love that, but I love it even more than it comes together in literally just a few minutes. :) Thanks for stopping by!
First–your photos are beautiful! It makes me want to take a bite right now. I love how simple this recipe is. I love lemon and am always up for adding it in to meals where possible. Looks delicious.
Thank you, Julia! I hope you can give it a try. So very simple and just the right amount of lemon. :)